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Why we love the North Coast 500

This is one epic road trip. Looping around the uppermost tip of mainland Scotland, the North Coast 500 – aka the NC500 – is where hefty mountains meet dazzling white beaches and tranquil lochs, where waterfalls roar and wildlife roams free. To drive this 516-mile (830km) route is to discover Scotland at its most ruggedly beautiful, a landscape that will ignite your inner adventurer.

The circular trail starts and ends in Inverness, from which you can head clockwise to the mighty peaks and dolphin-dotted waters of Wester Ross, or anticlockwise up the east coast, through Black Isle and Easter Ross. Whichever direction you choose, the north coast – Caithness and Sutherland – promises crumbling castles, tiny harbour villages, and mountains that teeter over the waves.

You’ll need at least five days to drive the NC500, but a week (or more) to really do it justice. From sea kayaking and puffin cruises, to whisky tasting and the Northern Lights: here’s what’s in store…

Things to do in North Coast 500

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Dating back to around 1490, Ardvreck Castle still dominates the Loch Assynt headland: an epic spot for walks and picnics.

Discover the legends of Ardvreck Castle

North Highlands

Ardvreck Castle on Loch Assynt
Ardvreck Castle, Lairg

This natural sea cave is floodlit inside: yours to discover on foot (and for free), or go deeper on a guided tour.

Step into Smoo Cave

VisitScotland

Durness, Scotland

A group of people preparing to enter Smoo Cave - a large limestone cavern near the north coast of Durness
Smoo Cave, Sutherland

Whale watching, coastal walking, and even the Northern Lights: it’s all here on mainland Britain’s northernmost tip.

Set your sights on John O’Groats

VisitScotland/Kenny Lam

Sign post at John O'Groats
John O’Groats, Caithness

Want to stretch your legs in a spectacular setting? Torridon promises epic mountains, cosy pubs and boutique hotels.

Find peak perfection in Torridon

North Highlands

Scotland

Man standing on boulder looking out over landscape with mountains in distance
Torridon, Ross and Cromarty

Follow the walking trail to these roaring waterfalls, set in a beautiful pine forest – and watch out for leaping salmon!

Explore the Falls of Shin

victoriamcdonald2234

Falls of Shin, Lairg
Falls of Shin, Lairg

Enjoy a voyage on the beautiful Loch Ness, and look out for its famous monster too…

Discover Cruise Loch Ness
visitscotland_48743853616
Cruise Loch Ness

This route links up perfectly with the NC500, for nine days of film-themed sights and experiences.

More about the James Bond Tour

VisitBritain/Emmanuel Teikirisi

Man walking towards a castle with sun rising in the sky
James Bond Tour

After a boat cruise, hit the Loch Ness 360° Trail for hiking and cycling around the shore.

Plan your trip to Loch Ness
Suidhe_Viewpoint_037
Loch Ness

The site features standing stones, ring cairns and kerb cairns, which visitors are free to explore.

Be inspired by Clava Cairns
Clava_Cairns_01
Clava Cairns

This literature weekend is packed with author talks, book signings, debates, lectures and workshops.

Buy tickets for Ullapool Book Festival

North Highlands

visitscotland_37165854660
Ullapool Book Festival

Once a thriving fishing community, this village is now full of charming B&Bs and restaurants.

Visit Shieldaig

North Highlands

Scotland

Man standing on boulder looking out over landscape with mountains in distance
Shieldaig

Fashion brands include H&M, Primark and Phase Eight, plus the likes of Boots, Pandora and Starbucks.

Explore Eastgate Shopping Centre
inverness-12-1
Eastgate Shopping Centre

Sea eagles are known to nest here – and look out for otters, herons and pine martens too.

Book Canoeing on Loch Torridon

VisitScotland

The Torridon Hills and Upper Loch Torridon
Canoeing on Loch Torridon

Dating back to around 1490, Ardvreck Castle still dominates the Loch Assynt headland: an epic spot for walks and picnics.

Discover the legends of Ardvreck Castle

North Highlands

Ardvreck Castle on Loch Assynt
Ardvreck Castle, Lairg

This natural sea cave is floodlit inside: yours to discover on foot (and for free), or go deeper on a guided tour.

Step into Smoo Cave

VisitScotland

Durness, Scotland

A group of people preparing to enter Smoo Cave - a large limestone cavern near the north coast of Durness
Smoo Cave, Sutherland

Whale watching, coastal walking, and even the Northern Lights: it’s all here on mainland Britain’s northernmost tip.

Set your sights on John O’Groats

VisitScotland/Kenny Lam

Sign post at John O'Groats
John O’Groats, Caithness

Want to stretch your legs in a spectacular setting? Torridon promises epic mountains, cosy pubs and boutique hotels.

Find peak perfection in Torridon

North Highlands

Scotland

Man standing on boulder looking out over landscape with mountains in distance
Torridon, Ross and Cromarty

Follow the walking trail to these roaring waterfalls, set in a beautiful pine forest – and watch out for leaping salmon!

Explore the Falls of Shin

victoriamcdonald2234

Falls of Shin, Lairg
Falls of Shin, Lairg

Enjoy a voyage on the beautiful Loch Ness, and look out for its famous monster too…

Discover Cruise Loch Ness
visitscotland_48743853616
Cruise Loch Ness

This route links up perfectly with the NC500, for nine days of film-themed sights and experiences.

More about the James Bond Tour

VisitBritain/Emmanuel Teikirisi

Man walking towards a castle with sun rising in the sky
James Bond Tour

After a boat cruise, hit the Loch Ness 360° Trail for hiking and cycling around the shore.

Plan your trip to Loch Ness
Suidhe_Viewpoint_037
Loch Ness

The site features standing stones, ring cairns and kerb cairns, which visitors are free to explore.

Be inspired by Clava Cairns
Clava_Cairns_01
Clava Cairns

This literature weekend is packed with author talks, book signings, debates, lectures and workshops.

Buy tickets for Ullapool Book Festival

North Highlands

visitscotland_37165854660
Ullapool Book Festival

Once a thriving fishing community, this village is now full of charming B&Bs and restaurants.

Visit Shieldaig

North Highlands

Scotland

Man standing on boulder looking out over landscape with mountains in distance
Shieldaig

Fashion brands include H&M, Primark and Phase Eight, plus the likes of Boots, Pandora and Starbucks.

Explore Eastgate Shopping Centre
inverness-12-1
Eastgate Shopping Centre

Sea eagles are known to nest here – and look out for otters, herons and pine martens too.

Book Canoeing on Loch Torridon

VisitScotland

The Torridon Hills and Upper Loch Torridon
Canoeing on Loch Torridon

Places to stay in North Coast 500

Inverness

As the start (and finish) of the NC500, Inverness is a key place to rest your head – and the city has plenty of hotels, B&Bs and guesthouses to choose from. 

On tour

Want to snooze under the stars? Tour the NC500 in a caravan or motorhome, and spend your nights in the region’s beautiful campsites and farmstays.

Sutherland

The NC500 is not to be rushed, so why not stay in one place for a while? With its huge peaks and humbling sea views, Sutherland is a joy to linger in.

Explore nearby

The Cairngorms is a playground for wildlife lovers, hill climbers, thrill seekers and more.

VisitBritain/Graham Niven

A man canoeing with two spaniels. Clear blue skies

Explore pristine woods, climb mountains and paddle the waters of Scotland's wild landscape.

VisitScotland

A woman sitting and looking out across Loch Lomond

From palaces to cobbled alleys, and a dormant volcano, this city is a real show-stopper.

VisitBritain/Andrew Pickett

Edinburgh

A young couple taking a selfie of view over historic town

Pushing the boundaries of art and culture and a heart that beats through its people.

VisitBritain/Tommy Ga-Ken Wan

Two men looking at installation of suspended head sculptures

Getting to the North Coast 500

The North Coast 500 is a circular route, so technically you could join it wherever you choose – but Inverness has the best transport connections, so is widely considered to be the start/finish.

Inverness Airport (for domestic and international flights) is a 10-minute drive from the city, and there are good road, rail and coach links with the likes of Edinburgh, York and Newcastle. Caledonian Sleeper offers overnight trains between London and Inverness.

Getting around

For all its wilderness, the NC500 is surprisingly easy to access – whether you choose to drive the whole route, or visit the highlights by public transport.

However you choose to explore, the North Coast 500 app – available on the App Store and Google Play – is full of useful tips and guides. For discounts on attractions and hotels, become a member of the North Coast 500, from £15 per year.

By car

Whether it’s a car, caravan or motorbike, hiring your own vehicle will give you the greatest freedom. Going electric? Chargeplacescotland.org lists the closest charging points.

By bike

One of Britain’s top road-cycling challenges, the NC500 isn’t for the faint hearted: expect long ascents and sharp corners, but an abundance of breathtaking scenery too.

By train

Though public transport is scarce, there are trains between Inverness and the likes of Thurso, Wick, Tain and Invergordon – which are useful for shorter adventures.

Want to know more?

Visit the NC500’s official website for all the latest travel advice and insider tips.